19 September 1916

Central Market in breach of lighting regulations

The authorities have been cracking down on anyone found breaking the regulations setting out wartime lighting restrictions.

The authorities have been cracking down on anyone found breaking the regulations setting out wartime lighting restrictions. Among those in trouble recently has been St Helier’s Central Market, which was found with uncovered lights shining brightly onto the road outside.

Alien’s Officer Cooke was walking through town at 9.25 in the evening when he noticed the market’s lights, which were fully on and illuminating Halkett Place. This contravened the latest restrictions issued under Defence of the Realm regulations designed to protect the island from night time air attack. Approaching, Cooke found someone working in the market who informed him that the lights were on at the request of the Markets’ Inspector. Moreover, the inspector had instructed the employee to tell anyone who complained that they were prepared to ‘make a test case of it’, rather than switch the lights off.

The offence and attitude led to a subsequent visit by the Attorney General. Confronted by Henry Edward Le Vavasseur dit Durell, it seems that the Markets’ Inspector was less willing to take on the authorities. He agreed to ensure that all lights would be covered going forward.

Associated Record:

D/Z/H2/6 has correspondence on the subject of lighting restrictions and report on the case of the Central Marketing infringing them.

Image:

P/09/A/2032 Photographic slide of an old postcard showing the market in St Helier and the fountain, dated early 20th century.